Julie Ruiz

DESIGN DIRECTOR, VICELAND, BROOKLYN NY

Julie is an award-winning creative director and storyteller with more than fifteen years of leadership, branding, design and advertising experience in the entertainment, music and broadcast industries. She is currently Design Director at VICELAND and was previously VP of Advertising & Branding at VH1. She is also a music photographer for A Horse With No Name, which mixes her passion for photography and rock n roll. Her design work has been recognized by AIGA, Print, HOW, CA, GDUSA, PDN, Le Book, PromaxBDA, the One Show, CLIO and Creativity.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born in Ft. Lauderdale FL, grew up in Eureka Springs AK, now live in Brooklyn NY

DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
The Art Institute, but now I really love taking classes at MOMA. Being in the museum at night when everyone is gone is soothing to my brain.

LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
More right but I use both

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
I like to sleep

FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Elaine from Seinfeld

ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I took a few guitar lessons to learn a Dinosaur Jr. song

FAVORITE BOOK?
My original copy of Harold and Maude; it’s the best and smells so good

FAVORITE MOVIE?
I love a good rom com on the plane

FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
I go to sleep watching Cheers every night

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
I’m kinda secretly waiting for the backlash of it all

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
I’ve been slowly collecting FAILE prints

FAVORITE CHARITY?
I’m really interested in starting a small scholarship for kids that can’t afford art school. I remember not having any money to buy art supplies and books and was so appreciative to any help I got.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
I shoot bands and shows, I call it my night job

COLLECT ANYTHING?
I still shoot on film so I collect old cameras, I have way too many

COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
I definitely have a “life” color palette and it usually involves orange or “blue” which is my middle name

TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Lately it’s been Helvetica, because that’s our brand font at VICELAND.

DOES PRINT HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR DESIGNS?
Long Live Print

DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
I’ve been very lucky to have had some amazing managers and mentors that have all inspired and helped me throughout my career.

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is that I trust my instincts

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Find your own style

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I’ve always wanted to be a production designer for film sets.